Anime Review: Kino's Journey

Review Kino's Journey Written by Warpshadow Rating Excellent

When I think about the philosophy books I have read over the years the difference between the books I liked and the ones I returned to the library after reading a few pages is that the ones I liked used simple language to convey complex ideas. Kino's Journey is in a way like those books.

Kino is a traveler. The only companion Kino has is the talking motorcycle (called a motorad) named Hermes. Kino lives by one strict rule while traveling, to only stay in a country for three days, no more and no less. While traveling to various countries (which all seem to be city states) Kino and Hermes meet many interesting and somewhat strange people. There isn't much more to tell about the series overall since this journey like many is without a set destination or plan.

When I watched Kino's Journey it reminded me of a collection of short stories from a science fiction author. So it came as no suprise to me when I learned that the television series was adapted from a collection of Novels by Keiichi Sigsawa. The show is episodic with Kino and Hermes sometimes visiting more than one place in an epiosde. The joy of watching Kino's Journey is the philosophical implications of the places and people that Kino meets. Unlike many shows with philosophical pretensions Kino's Journey dispenses with unneeded allegory so the ideas are conveyed in a straightforward and powerful way. It is a shame that this show isn't more popular than it is for it is something rather original in the sea of shows that can all look alike.